Models of Abnormality

As evidenced in Chapter 2 of the textbook, contemporary thinking about psychological disorders includes a
broad variety of models or paradigms. The list of models used in framing psychological disorders includes the
following: biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic-existential, and sociocultural. Each
model highlights different factors in the development of abnormal behavior and suggests different avenues for
the treatment of psychological disorders. In this week’s Assignment, you will closely examine these models and
compare and contrast two of your own choosing.
To prepare for this Assignment:
Examine the textbook chapter on models of abnormality and identify two models you find most intriguing.
Review the personal experience or encounter with abnormal behavior you explored in this week’s Discussion
(you may instead choose an experience shared by a classmate if you wish).
The Assignment:
In a 2- to 3-page paper, provide a brief description in your own words of each of the two models you chose and
discuss why these two models appeal to you.
Using the personal experience or encounter with abnormal behavior you (or a classmate) explored in this
week’s Discussion, compare and contrast the two models (describe similarities and differences) in terms of
how each might explain the development of the abnormal behavior described.
Compare and contrast the approaches to treatment that each model might suggest.
Resources:
Learning Resources
This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this
week’s assigned Learning Resources.
Required Readings
Comer, R. J. (2016). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology (8th ed.). New York, NY: Worth
Chapter 1, “Abnormal Psychology: Past and Present”
Chapter 2, “Models of Abnormality”
Optional Resources
Beck Institute. (2016). Beck cognitive behavior therapy. Retrieved from http://www.beckinstitute.org
Sigmund Freud Archives. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.freudarchives.org
The Association for Humanistic Psychology. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.ahpweb.org
The Dana Foundation. (2016.) BrainWeb. Retrieved from https://www.dana.org/brainweb/
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. (Producer). (2011a). Counselling therapies, session 1: Person
centred therapy [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://search.alexanderstreet.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ctiv/view/work/1779357
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. (Producer). (2011b). Counselling therapies, session 2: Gestalt
therapy [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://search.alexanderstreet.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ctiv/view/work/1779356
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. (Producer). (2011c). Counselling therapies, session 3:
Behaviour therapy [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://search.alexanderstreet.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ctiv/view/work/1779354
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. (Producer). (2011d). Counselling therapies, session 4:
Cognitive behaviour therapy [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://search.alexanderstreet.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ctiv/view/work/1779355
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. (Producer). (2011e). Counselling therapies,